Independent, fact-based news for Whatcom, San Juan and Skagit counties

News from the Salish Current July 21, 2023

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Dear Reader—
This week's stories come with awareness of the devilishly hot weather the world is suffering through. Sally Vaux writes about research underway on the melting glaciers of the North Cascades. Her article is reprinted from the July issue of Whatcom Watch, the venerable local environmental news monthly, with which we have an agreement to share articles. We're also reprising a photo essay by Alan Fritzberg originally published in September 2021 about the changes in glacier ice on Mount Baker. And check out a link in our Nature section to an article by Adam Sowards about Edmund T. Coleman, the first European to climb Mount Baker.

We also welcome William Appel's Community Voices essay which takes a deeper dive into the subject of the rights of nature. What are you thoughts on the subject?

A note of thanks this week to Cheryl Crooks and the Cascadia International Women's Film Festival for the showing of "Lyra," a heartbreaking, inspirational film about the murdered Northern Irish investigative reporter Lyra McKee. And thanks to our new and current readers of Salish Current who attended.

If you like what we are trying to do in news for our community, share this newsletter and ask others to subscribe. We're also hiring more freelance journalists to tell the stories of our community, so send us some samples of your reporting if you'd like to write for the Current. Thank you for your support.

—Amy Nelson, Publisher

Salish Current affirms its commitment to work for truth, justice,
equity and healing for all people.
#SayTheirNames #BlackLivesMatter #NoJusticeNoPeace

Want more environmental news? Salish Sea News and Weather is a weekday curated compilation of news from Salish Sea news sources. Free via email or on the web.

Salish Sea News Week in Review July 21 2023: Moonwalk, canoe journey, Cowichan salmon, refinery safety, Vancouver ecosystem, BC wildfires, dairy digester, BC spotted owl, Big Oil climate pledges, Cherry Pt herring, Fraser drought.

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Climate change threatens North Cascades snowpack

Mount Baker from Ptarmigan Ridge during August 2022 shows effects of climate change impacts such as wildfires and heat waves on snow — the region’s primary source of water. (Sally Vaux photo ©)

By Sally Vaux
The loss of glaciers threatens agriculture, fisheries, drinking water, hydroelectric power and recreation.

Glacier Creek spills down Mount Baker on a summer day, blocking the trail spur to Coleman Glacier. A photo essay compares today's reduced snow and glacier coverage at around 6,000 feet with coverage four decades ago. (Alan Fritzberg photo © 2021)

By Alan Fritzberg
As summer temperatures rise over time, Mount Baker's shrinking glaciers reveal the impact.

Rights, and nature: the Shrine Drive-Thru Tree in Humboldt County, California — a 5,000-year-old Coast Redwood — was among forest giants tunneled in the late 1800s and early 1900s to encourage automobile tourism. While tunneling enabled people to drive or walk through the trees, it is extremely damaging to the trees and the practice was discontinued. (Jan Kronsell, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)

By Bill Appel
Commentary: The “rights of nature” issue is a dynamic balance among the rights of voiceless forms of life, the idea of “ownership,” the common welfare, and human happiness in nature and grief for its loss.

Letters to the Editor

• Supports Greenways, thanks city council

Our policy: Salish Current welcomes letters to the editor from our readers. Letters should be sent with the writer’s name, address and daytime phone number. Those accepted for publication will focus on issues addressed in news articles or commentaries in Salish Current and be factual. No snark or put-downs will be acceptable; general nastiness will be rejected. Letters should not exceed 300 words and may be edited for length and clarity. Letters represent the point of view of the writer. Publication by Salish Current does not represent endorsement. Salish Current will publish letters sent to the editor at its sole discretion.

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News from around the region...

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Health and Safety

Drug task force. The Skagit County drug task force has been funded with state funding extended through June 2024, providing time to work on alternative funding to maintain the task force. (Skagit Valley Herald/paywall)

No fires. The San Juan County Fire Marshal has declared a ban on all recreational fires throughout unincorporated San Juan County. (San Juan County)

Education

Dog school. Dog behaviorist Lawrence Pang offers a hands-on opportunity to practice some behavior improvement routines like walking your dog — teaching dogs not to pull on the leash while being walked, and a couple of common issues experienced by attendees. July 22, 2–4 p.m., outdoors behind the Blaine Library. Information.

The Border & Beyond

Vancouver's ecosystem. The city's development after colonization has destroyed fish populations which the Tsleil-Waututh Nation is looking to restore. (Hakai Magazine)

Nature

No spawn. The largest stock of herring in Washington waters did did not spawn this year in the Cherry Point Aquatic Reserve. (CDN/paywall)

Seabird die-off. Persistent heat waves in the marine environment linked to climate change are leading to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of seabirds several months later, according to a new study from the University of Washington. (OPB)

Cooked kelp. Rising water temperatures above 21 C (70 F) on the east side of Vancouver Island from Denman Island to Campbell River are leading to kelp forest die-offs and affecting entire ecosystems. (CHEK)

Tree regs. The long-fought, long-delayed Seattle tree ordinance was finally adopted by the city council but tree advocates question developers' and builders' behind-the-scenes role. (InvestigateWest) See also: “City seeks balance: housing needs and forest benefits” (Salish Current, May 5, 2023)

River protection. The upper watershed of the Cascade River is proposed by the state as an Outstanding Resource Waters, along with three other state water bodies, which would provide for greater protection. (Skagit Valley Herald/paywall)

Climbing Mount Baker. In an 1869 Harper’s New Monthly Magazine story, “Mountaineering on the Pacific,” Edmund T. Coleman (1824-1921) published his account as the first European to ascend Mount Baker. Adam Sowards writes. (Taking Bearings)

Business

Guemes ferry. Guemes Island ferry workers have alerted Skagit County officials and ferry passengers of potential schedule disruptions due to ongoing crew shortages that are “exacerbated by the county’s refusal to bargain a fair contract.” (KGMI)

Geuemes ferry fares. With new ferry rates scheduled to go into effect Aug. 15, the Skagit County commissioners have thus far failed to approve a plan to make up lost revenue on the Guemes ferry for more than a year and are next scheduled to adopt a plan on July 26. (Anacortes American/paywall)

PeaceHealth union. About 85 physician assistants, nurse practitioners and certified nurse midwives who work for PeaceHealth Whatcom County filed to organize under the Union of American Physicians and Dentists. (CDN/paywall)

Agritourism. Skagit County's proposed changes to its definition of agritourism in permitting will focus on indoor activities like weddings using farm facilities and will be discussed by the planning commission next Tuesday. (Skagit Valley Herald/paywall)

Bellingham Port survey. Help the Port of Bellingham update its Recreation, Conservation and Public Access Plan by taking a brief survey before Aug. 21. (Port of Bellingham)

Blaine reserves. The City of Blaine estimates spending about $150,000 of its reserves, instead of $950,000, in 2023 due to loss of four staff positions that haven’t been refilled and improving sales tax revenue. This will allow the city to keep about $800,000 it would have spent of its $4 million reserve. (The Northern Light)

Farm water. Struggling West Skagit County farmers lacking water will access unused water rights in a purchase agreement with the Public Utility District which has yet to set a price and needs approval from the state Department of Ecology. (Skagit Valley Herald/paywall)

Community

Lummi park. The Lummi Island Heritage Trust has restored the gravel mine on Lummi Island and reopened the area last weekend to the public as the 105-acre Aston Preserve on Lummi Mountain. (CDN/paywall)

Pacific voyage. B.C. communities are hosting the Hōkūleʻa, a traditional Polynesian canoe, that will travel an estimated 43,000 miles circumnavigating the Pacific Ocean and stopping at more than 300 ports, 36 countries and archipelagoes, and nearly 100 Indigenous territories along the way. (CBC)

Plastic film recycling. San Juan Island residents can recycle in a pilot program clean and dry plastic bags, plastic storage bags such as Ziploc® brand bags, plastic grocery and produce bags, plastic shipping envelopes, and other flexible plastic film, in Friday Harbor. (San Juan County)

The Landing. The Anacortes Family Center opened The Landing, a 21-unit low income apartment facility, and an early learning center run by the Skagit County Boys and Girls Club. (Anacortes American/paywall)

Embrace and empower. The Bellingham City Club's June 28 program to help broaden the understanding of the LGBTQIA+ community and issues is now available to view.

Commentary

Naturalist David B. Williams writes: “To the Indigenous people of the Pacific Northwest, western red cedars have long been the tree of life ... Now, one western red cedar has become central to the more recent inhabitants of Seattle. The double trunked tree grows in the Wedgwood neighborhood and has been slated to be cut down in order to build new homes.” (Street Smart Naturalist)

Arts & Leisure

Say no. The Friday Harbor Film Festival Best of the Fest features “The Boys Who Said NO!” a film profiling the young men and women who actively opposed the military draft to end the Vietnam War. July 21, 7 p.m., San Juan Island Library. Livestream here.

“Black Panther.” Fairhaven Outdoor Cinema. Entertainment: K-Kats, July 22. Movies start at dusk and entertainment about 2 hours prior to the movie. $7 per person cash, $8 per person credit card; kids 4 and under are FREE. Information.

Forest visions. Earth artist Molly Abromitis, known as Sitimorba, demonstrates in her work a slow unfolding of visual communion between herself and the tree she’s working with. To July 31, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Deming Library.

Rooftop cinema. The Pickford's rooftop cinema series features “Fargo,” July 28, 7 p.m. party, film at dusk, always free. Atop Bellingham's downtown Parkade on Commercial. Info.

“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” Fairhaven Outdoor Cinema. Entertainment: Rose Aiko, July 29. Movies start at dusk and entertainment about 2 hours prior to the movie. $7 per person cash, $8 per person credit card; kids 4 and under are FREE. Information. /

Poetry salon. Distinguished Olympic Peninsula naturalist and poet Tim McNulty and local poets present “Seeing the Forest for the Trees: A Poetry Salon.” July 29, 4–6 p.m., Van Zandt Community Hall. Benefit for the Center for Responsible Forestry. Reservations.

Island acrobatics. Acrobatic Conundrum performs “Le Cirque de Pamplemousse” somersaulting, pirouetting, precariously balancing and making a fruit smoothie of life, death and rebirth. July 29 (evening indoors) and July 30 (afternoon outdoors), Lopez Center. Tickets in advance.

Rooftop cinema. The Pickford's rooftop cinema series features “Mad Max: Fury Road,” Aug. 11, 7 p.m. party, film at dusk, always free. Atop Bellingham's downtown Parkade on Commercial. Info.

Pioneer Park plays. Unsubdued Theatre Collective, a Bellingham-based theatre company, performs “The Unsubdued Revue 3” and “Clytemnestra Has Blood on Her Hands,” in Ferndale's Pioneer Park in July. Free. Show and showtime details here.

Library jazz. Bellingham Public Library presents Friends of the Library Summer Jazz in various locations on Aug. 5, Aug. 19. Free. Information and registration. Also check out the Jazz for Kids programs.

Park music. Bellingham's Elizabeth Park summer concerts are presented every Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. through Aug. 24. Donations welcomed. Program information.

Jump in!

Book sale. Friends of Birch Bay Library are raising funds for their building project by selling their bookmobile, books and breakfast goodies. July 29, 7 a.m.–3 p.m. Birch Bay Library.

Invasive removal. Join with the Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association and Whatcom Land Trust on July 29 to clear out invasive vegetation from the banks of the north and south forks of the Nooksack River. Registration is limited and required.

Rage. The Bellingham City Club presents “All the Rage: How American Politics Boiled Over,” a talk by professor Steven Stehr of Washington State University. July 26, lunch and talk at Noon, doors open at 11:30 a.m., Bellingham Yacht Club. Member price is $25; non-member price is $30; youth under 25 is $10. Attendance is limited to 150. Advance registration and ticket purchase required by 6 p.m. July 23. Information.

About drugs. The Bellingham Public Library is making available multiple copies of Sam Quinones' book, “The Least of Us: True Tales of America and Hope in the Time of Fentanyl and Meth,” in advance of his Aug. 1 “All Hands Whatcom: An Evening with Sam Quinones” 6 p.m. at Bellingham High School. The event is free and open to the public. Register and submit questions at Chuckanut Health Foundation.

Government

Elections
Candidate forums:
Hospital District 304. The LWV of Skagit County hosted a forum on July 17 featuring candidates for the position of Commissioner, Position 2, Hospital District 304. Watch here.

Watch this space. This guide won’t tell you who to vote for, but should help you make the choice for yourself. Bellingham Primary Election. (Crosscut)

Public Disclosure Commission July 14, 2023
City of Bellingham Mayor
• Kim Lund: Raised $53,625.72, Spent $12,499.48, Outside For $415.74
• Michael McAuley: Raised $14,497.60, Spent $8,884.68
• Kristina Michele Martens: Raised $4,000.06, Spent $3,463.94, Outside For $415.74
• Seth Fleetwood: Raised $17,781.45, Spent $12,699.36, Outside For $415.74
• Chris McCoy: Raised $8,044.15, Spent $6,939.73

Whatcom County Executive
• Satpal Sidhu: Raised $77,386.78, Spent $30,367.60, Debt $12,135.59, Outside For $414.74
• Alicia Rule: Raised $15,540.00, Spent $5,318.16
• Barry Buchanan: Raised $7,633.19, Spent $5,313.14, Debt $7,529.19, Outside For $415.74
• Misty Flowers: Raised $2,160.84, Spent $2,092.64
• Dan Purdy: Raised $3,292.64, Spent $27,041.51, Debt $21,997.76
• Sukhwant Gill: Raised $10,793.64, Spent $9,585.86

Aug. 1 Primary
Whatcom County candidate filings
Skagit County candidate filings
San Juan County candidate filings

San Juan County.
The council met on July 17. Video and agenda link.
• Discussion: BRIC grant funding opportunity — McKaye Harbor Road Strategic Shoreline Adaptation Project. (2:18:55)

• The council will next meet on July 25 on Decatur Island, Decatur School, 11 a.m. The meeting’s agenda includes updates from the Public Works Department and Decatur School, information about the Sheriff’s Office Emergency Response Services and USPS mail service, and more.

LWV SJI Observer Corps:
•June 28 Friday Harbor Port Commission
•July 12 Friday Harbor Port Commission

City of Bellingham.
The council will meet on July 24. Agenda items include:

Public Works and Natural Resources Committee:
• Sanitation and Solid Waste Progress Report. Presentation.

Committee of the Whole:
• A Resolution Deferring Initiative No. 2023-01 which Concerns Raising the Minimum Wage to the Voters. Resolution.

• A Resolution Deferring Initiative No. 2023-02 which Concerns the Adoption of an Economic Displacement Assistance Mandate in Landlord-Tenant Relations to the Voters. Resolution.

• A Resolution Affirming that Affordable Housing and Homelessness are a Public Health Crisis. Resolution.

• A Work Session to Discuss Additional Tenant Protection Measures. Staff memo.

The council will next meet on Aug. 7.

Whatcom County.
The council will meet on July 25. Agenda items include:

Public hearings:
• Ordinance adopting amendments to Whatcom County Code Title 20 (Zoning) to regulate short-term/vacation rentals. Ordinance history.

Consent agenda:
• Authorize the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement amendment between Whatcom County and Washington State Department of Health to deliver various public health services in the amount of $3,197,322 for a total amended agreement amount of $12,178,417. Staff memo.

Other items:
• Adopt the Food System Plan created by the Whatcom County Food System Committee. Staff memo.

• Resolution for Whatcom County Code language revisions to address equity, diversity and inclusion. Staff memo.

• Ordinance amending Whatcom County Code 10.34, Ferry Rates. Ordinance history.

The council will meet again on Aug. 8.

Port of Bellingham.
The commission will meet again on Aug. 8.